Learn which issues women nearing menopause should stay attuned to

Hormone therapy (HT)
Experts say it's generally OK to use HT up until "normal" menopause (around 51), because it's replacing hormones your body should still be making. The exception: Don't use HT if you have a history of breast cancer, uterine cancer or a blood clotting disorder, says Sharon B. Diamond, MD, assistant clinical professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive science at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City. After age 50, HT is riskier; talk to your doctor about the pros and cons.

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A bone mineral density test
Women 65 and older routinely get this screening, but experts also recommend it for younger postmenopausal women who have multiple risk factors: a family history of osteoporosis or hip fractures coupled with early-onset menopause, for example.

Your heart
Once you hit menopause, your heart disease risk goes up thanks to dropping estrogen levels. So talk to your doctor about all your risk factors and make sure you know your numbers (cholesterol, triglycerides and blood pressure) so you can get them in check if they're too high.